Robot-Assisted Versus Conventional Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction: A Prospective Comparative Study

NCT07086417 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Z221100007422004
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 120
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and biomechanical accuracy of a newly developed robot-assisted system for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. ACL injuries are among the most common sports-related injuries in active individuals and athletes, and reconstruction surgery is considered the gold standard for treatment. However, failure rates remain substantial-up to 10.3% in the general population and as high as 40% among high-demand patients, such as young athletes. One of the key technical factors contributing to graft failure is improper placement of the femoral and tibial bone tunnels during surgery, which affects graft isometry, kinematics, and long-term function. This prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial will include 120 adult patients with confirmed ACL rupture. Subjects will be randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group undergoing robot-assisted arthroscopic ACL reconstruction, and a control group receiving traditional arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. The investigational robot system is a custom-designed platform that integrates three primary modules: (1) preoperative planning, (2) intraoperative surgical assistance, and (3) biomechanical evaluation. The robot is designed to support precise tunnel positioning using CT/MRI fusion, dynamic motion tracking during surgery, and post-placement assessment of graft trajectory, potential impingement, and mechanical stability. Preoperative planning includes 3D reconstruction from CT and MRI imaging to identify optimal anatomical positions for the femoral and tibial tunnels. During surgery, the robot allows the surgeon to perform the procedure in a semi-active "cooperative control" mode, combining robotic precision with the surgeon's decision-making and dexterity. Unlike existing robotic platforms, this system enables limited patient limb movement and real-time position tracking, making it uniquely suited for arthroscopic procedures. The primary endpoint of the study is anterior tibial translation at 2 years postoperatively, measured using the KT-1000 arthrometer to compare surgical and contralateral knees. Secondary endpoints include subjective knee function scores (Lysholm, Kujala, and Tegner), CT and MRI evaluation of tunnel placement and graft integration, and physical examination results. Follow-up will occur preoperatively and at 2 years postoperatively via in-person visits. Sample size was calculated based on differences in Lysholm scores from prior navigation-assisted studies. With an alpha level of 0.05, a power of 0.90, and a 20% expected loss to follow-up, 60 patients will be enrolled in each group. Data will be analyzed using SPSS v22.0. Parametric and non-parametric tests will be applied as appropriate, including ANOVA, Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons, and Cochran's Q for repeated categorical variables. A p-value \<0.05 will be considered statistically significant. This study is conducted by the Department of Sports Medicine at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, a leading orthopedic and trauma care center in China, affiliated with Capital Medical University. The project is supported by the Capital Clinical Special Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research and Translational Application Program and involves collaboration with Beijing Tiansing Bomed Medical Devices Co., Ltd., which is responsible for the robotic platform development and maintenance. Ethical approval has been obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital. All patients will provide written informed consent before enrollment. The study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, and local regulations. Expected outcomes of this study include evidence of improved tunnel placement accuracy, enhanced functional recovery, and potentially reduced failure rates with robot-assisted ACL reconstruction. If successful, this research may contribute to broader adoption of robotic technology in arthroscopic sports medicine surgery and support future innovations in orthopedic surgical robotics.

Conditions

Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Anterior Tibial Translation Measured by KT-1000

  Anterior tibial translation will be measured using the KT-1000 arthrometer to assess knee joint stability. The difference in anterior translation between the operated and contralateral knees will be recorded. This outcome is intended to evaluate the functional success of ACL reconstruction and the accuracy of tunnel positioning.

  At 24 months post-operation

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Lysholm Knee Score

  Baseline and 24 months post-operation

• Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Score

  Baseline and 24 months post-operation

• MRI Evaluation of Graft Position and Integrity

  Immediate postoperative period and 24 months post-operation

Study Arms (2)

Robot-Assisted ACL Reconstruction

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will undergo arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using a custom-designed robotic surgical system. The system includes preoperative planning, intraoperative guidance, and biomechanical evaluation modules. Tunnel positions are planned based on CT and MRI fusion images, and the robot assists the surgeon with precise femoral and tibial tunnel drilling. Biomechanical assessments such as graft isometry and impingement risk are evaluated intraoperatively.

Procedure: Robot-Assisted Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction

Conventional Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will receive conventional arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. Femoral and tibial tunnels are created manually using standard guides and instrumentation. Graft placement and tensioning are performed according to traditional techniques, and isometry and impingement are assessed manually during surgery.

Procedure: Conventional Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction

Interventions

Robot-Assisted Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction PROCEDURE

This intervention involves the use of a customized robotic surgical system to assist in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The system integrates preoperative planning with CT/MRI fusion imaging, intraoperative surgical guidance for femoral and tibial tunnel creation, and real-time biomechanical evaluation. The robot provides enhanced precision in tunnel positioning and graft placement compared to conventional techniques.

Robot-Assisted ACL Reconstruction

Conventional Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction PROCEDURE

This intervention uses standard arthroscopic techniques for ACL reconstruction without robotic assistance. Tunnel positions are determined manually using surgical landmarks and guides. Graft placement, tensioning, and isometry assessment are performed by the surgeon using conventional methods.

Conventional Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age over 16 years old; Primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture confirmed by physical examination and MRI; Surgery scheduled within 3 months of injury; Patients eligible for autograft ACL reconstruction using 8S-ST/G technique; Normal range of motion in the contralateral knee; Willingness to participate and sign informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Previous surgery on either knee; Multi-ligament injuries or complex injuries requiring additional procedures; History of rheumatologic or systemic inflammatory joint diseases; Moderate to severe osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥ 2); Poor general health or contraindications to surgery; Refusal to participate or inability to follow up.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Chunyan Jiang: lead
• Star Sports Medicine Co., Ltd: collaborator

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Director of the Department of Sports Medicine

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 18, 2025
• First Posted: July 25, 2025
• Study Start: August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2027
• Last Updated: July 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07